barnstorm

[ bahrn-stawrm ]

verb (used without object)

1. to conduct a campaign or speaking tour in rural areas by making brief stops in many small towns.
2. Theater. to tour small towns to stage theatrical performances.
3. (of a pilot) to give exhibitions of stunt flying, participate in airplane races, etc., in the course of touring country towns and rural areas.
4. (of a professional athletic team) to tour an area playing exhibition games after the regular season.

verb (used with object)

1. to tour (various places) as a barnstormer.

barnstorm

/ ˈbɑːnˌstɔːm /

verb

1. to tour rural districts putting on shows, esp theatrical, athletic, or acrobatic shows
2. to tour rural districts making speeches in a political campaign

Derived Forms

• ˈbarnˌstorming, nounadjective
• ˈbarnˌstormer, noun

Other Words From

• barn·storm·er noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of barnstorm¹

First recorded in 1880–85; barn ¹ + storm

Word History and Origins

Origin of barnstorm¹

C19: from barn ¹+ storm ( vb ); from the performances often being in barns

Example Sentences

Democrats are looking to retake seats they lost in 2022, and they have dedicated significant resources and the attention of party leadership, with House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., barnstorming the state last week.

From Salon

The polling comes as both Harris and Trump barnstorm across the swing states.

From Los Angeles Times

Harris and Trump have been barnstorming through swing states.

From Los Angeles Times

Both Trump and Harris will barnstorm battleground states this week, with Harris set to deliver her closing argument on Tuesday evening.

From Los Angeles Times

In the previous weeks, the candidates had barnstormed across District 14 in their own version of the Lincoln-Douglas debates — but even more bitter.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• canvass